Summary:
Women own 48.4% of businesses in Georgia, outpacing national rates
Georgia is near parity for women-to-men-owned businesses at 0.86 to 1
Atlanta ranks No. 2 for density of women-owned small businesses
The Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative supports female entrepreneurs with funding and development opportunities
Georgia's small business employment grew by 26% from 1998-2022, almost doubling national growth
The Rise of Women-Owned Businesses in Atlanta
The term “girlboss” may have faded from popular use, but the presence of female founders in Atlanta — and throughout Georgia — is still quite strong. In the Peach State, women own 48.4% of businesses and make up 48.1% of their workers, slightly outpacing national rates for both, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Georgia Nears Parity in Women-to-Men-Owned Businesses
Georgia is the state nearest to parity for the ratio of women-to-men-owned small businesses at 0.86 to 1. The parity is even closer in Atlanta. The national average is 0.7 to 1. Atlanta and the state as a whole both ranked No. 2 for density of women-owned small businesses. In fact, all of the top five cities are in the Southeast, LegalZoom found.
A Network of Support for Female Entrepreneurs
The Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) is a program supporting local early-stage female entrepreneurs in strategic analysis, leadership development, partnerships, and funding opportunities. Supported by the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta, WEI says it is the nation’s only municipality-funded accelerator of its kind.
WEI was founded in 2015 to provide local female business owners with the tools for success, “while minimizing some of the challenges and roadblocks unique to them as women.” The program has 90 alumni, whose companies have gone on to create hundreds of jobs, according to Jen Bonnett, WEI’s vice president of technology and entrepreneurship.
Additional Resources for Women Entrepreneurs
- Women’s Business Center from Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs
- Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs
- Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council
Georgia has been dominant in the women-owned small business space for several years, but the numbers have been stagnant, according to Bonnett. Some programs for women and minorities are also taking a hit from a backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.
Bonnett advises women who want to enter Georgia’s small business space to get involved by networking at local or online events. “I feel like right now more than ever we have to step in and make sure we’re taking care of each other,” Bonnett said.
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